Country guide for Indian students
Study in USA
The USA is the largest and most flexible study-abroad market for Indian students: tens of thousands of accredited institutions, no single national admissions body, and, unlike Germany, broad acceptance of multiple English tests and a fast-growing trend of test-optional/test-waived admissions. The trade-off is cost (tuition and living costs are almost always paid in full, not subsidised) and a visa process that has gotten stricter, not looser: in-person interviews are now required for nearly everyone, the SEVIS fee and visa fee must both be paid before the interview, and social-media handles must be disclosed on the DS-160. Post-study work runs through Optional Practical Training (OPT) and, for STEM graduates, a further 24-month STEM OPT extension, with a currently-proposed federal rule that could cap how long an F-1 student can stay admitted in one stretch. Get the visa file and the OPT/STEM timeline right and the US route is one of the most flexible in the world; miss the September 2025 interview-waiver change or the funding-proof standard and admission stalls at the consulate, not the university.
At a glance
Tuition (typical range)
US$20,000 to 60,000/year (2026)
No tuition-free public-university system like Germany's. Public/state universities charge a non-resident (international) rate; private universities and highly-ranked programs run higher. Always confirm the specific program's published cost of attendance.
Proof of funds
MandatoryBank/sponsor evidence covering 1 year of the I-20 cost of attendance
Not a fixed blocked-account sum like Germany, DHS requires the school to document the student can cover at least one year (or the length of the program, if shorter) via bank statements, sponsor letters, loan-approval letters, or scholarship/assistantship letters before issuing the I-20.
Main intakes
Fall (Aug/Sep) & Spring (Jan)
Fall is the primary intake for nearly all programs; a smaller Spring intake exists at many universities; Summer starts are rare and program-specific. Common App Regular Decision typically falls 1 Jan, 15 Jan for the following Fall; deadlines vary by university, always confirm on the program page.
Work while studying
MandatoryOn-campus only, ≤20 hrs/week in term
Off-campus work generally requires specific authorization (CPT, OPT, or hardship programs), there is no general off-campus work right like Germany's day-cap.
After graduation
ConditionalOPT (12 months) → STEM OPT +24 months (STEM degrees only) → H-1B
STEM OPT requires an E-Verify-enrolled employer and a STEM-designated degree. H-1B is a lottery-based work visa, not guaranteed.
Visa type
MandatoryF-1 student visa (non-immigrant)
Applied at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate in India; in-person interview now required for essentially all F-1 applicants (since 2 Sept 2025).
Universities & admissions
The US has no centralized national admissions body, each university (often each program) sets its own requirements, application platform, and deadline. For Indian students the practical gatekeepers are: an accredited/SEVP-certified institution, a transcript evaluation many graduate programs ask for, and, increasingly, a patchwork of test-optional, test-waived, or test-required policies that changes by school and by year.
School must be SEVP-certified
MandatoryOnly SEVP-certified schools can issue the Form I-20
Verify any shortlisted school appears on the official SEVP school search (studyinthestates.dhs.gov/school-search) before assuming it can sponsor an F-1 visa.
Degree recognition (Masters entry)
ConditionalIndian 3-year Bachelors is accepted by many graduate programs; some require a 4-year degree or extra credits
US graduate admissions are program-specific, not governed by a national equivalence rule. A WES (World Education Services) or similar credential evaluation is commonly requested for graduate applications, especially where the undergraduate degree is 3 years.
SAT, undergraduate (2026 landscape)
ConditionalReinstated as mandatory at many highly selective schools; test-optional/test-blind elsewhere
For Fall 2026 entry, several highly selective private universities reinstated a mandatory SAT/ACT after years of test-optional policy, while the University of California system remains permanently test-blind (does not consider SAT/ACT even if submitted) and other universities remain test-optional. This is program- and university-specific, check each shortlisted school's current policy, don't assume last year's policy holds.
GRE/GMAT, graduate (2026 landscape)
ConditionalWidely waived or optional, program-dependent
Many Masters and even PhD programs (including in STEM) now waive the GRE outright or make it optional; a large share of MBA programs still expect the GMAT or GRE, though some offer waivers case-by-case. Never assume a waiver, confirm on the specific program's admissions page for the intake being applied to.
Shortlist by program fit and confirm SEVP status
There is no single 'apply once' portal for the whole country, some universities use the Common App, some use the Coalition Application, many use their own portal, and most graduate programs only accept direct applications. For each shortlisted program note: degree/grade prerequisites, standardized test policy for the intake being targeted, English-test requirement, application platform, and deadline. Confirm the institution is SEVP-certified, this is what allows it to issue Form I-20.
Don't assume a program's 2025 test-optional policy still holds for the 2026 intake, several top schools reinstated the SAT for Fall 2026. Re-check every cycle.Line up a credential evaluation for graduate applications
ConditionalMany US graduate schools ask international applicants, especially those with a 3-year Indian Bachelors, for a course-by-course credential evaluation (e.g., through WES) alongside official transcripts. Start this early since evaluators can take several weeks, and some universities have a specific approved-evaluator list.
Track each program's own test policy and English-test list
ConditionalBecause the US market is decentralized, 'the university requires the GRE' or 'this school is test-optional' can be true for one program and false for the college next door within the same university. Verify per program, per intake, directly on the official admissions page, never rely on a blog's aggregated list.
A test-optional/test-waived policy for admission does not carry over to the visa office, the F-1 visa itself does not require SAT/GRE/GMAT scores at all; those are purely academic-admission requirements.
Unlike Germany, there is no single national body (like APS) that certifies an Indian student's academic documents before every US university. Each institution independently evaluates transcripts, sometimes via a third-party credential evaluator it names. This is faster in one sense (no country-wide gate) but puts more burden on the counsellor to confirm each program's own document and evaluation requirements early.
After several pandemic-era years of broad test-optional admissions, a number of highly selective US universities reinstated mandatory SAT/ACT testing for Fall 2026 undergraduate applicants, while other large public systems remain permanently test-blind and still others remain test-optional. There is no single national rule, this is the 'dMAT-class' trap for the USA: a counsellor who assumes '2024's test-optional policy still applies' can send a student in without a required score. Confirm the CURRENT-cycle policy on each shortlisted university's own admissions page before finalizing the testing plan.
Language & tests
Unlike Germany, there is no single visa-office-approved list restricting which English test counts, the F-1 visa itself does not require an English-proficiency test score at all. English-test acceptance is set entirely by each university (or program) for admission, and the list of accepted tests is wide and growing.
English proficiency
ConditionalTOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, or Duolingo English Test, broadly accepted
IELTS, TOEFL, and increasingly the Duolingo English Test are all widely accepted across US universities (including the Ivy League), but acceptance and the required score band are set per program, always verify on the specific program page rather than assuming.
University admission IELTS cutoff (the binding number)
ConditionalTypical graduate 6.5 to 7.0 overall, no band below 6.0 to 6.5; typical undergraduate ~6.0 to 6.5 overall
There is no national rule, each US university (often each program) sets its own English-admission threshold, and this is the figure that actually gets an offer, not any visa-related floor (the F-1 visa itself sets none). Competitive/professional programs (top-ranked schools, engineering, business, medicine, law) commonly ask 7.0+ overall. Many US programs are now test-optional or waive the requirement for applicants with sufficient prior English-medium study, always confirm the specific program's current policy and per-module minimum before advising a student against it.
English test for the visa itself
Not required
The consular officer relies on the university's own admission decision (the I-20) as evidence of academic readiness; there is no equivalent to Germany's visa-office-approved test list.
SAT/ACT (undergraduate)
ConditionalPolicy varies sharply by university for the 2026 intake
Ranges from mandatory (several highly selective private universities, Fall 2026) to test-blind (some public university systems) to test-optional (many others). Confirm per school, per cycle.
GRE/GMAT (graduate)
ConditionalFrequently waived or optional; still commonly required for many MBA programs
A large and growing share of Masters/PhD programs, including in engineering and computer science, do not require the GRE or make it optional; verify per program.
- Book English tests (IELTS/TOEFL/Duolingo) with enough lead time to retake if the score misses a program's cutoff, Duolingo results are typically faster to receive than paper-based tests.
- For Masters/PhD applicants, check each program's GRE/GMAT policy separately, a blanket 'STEM programs waive the GRE' assumption is not reliable at every school.
- None of these test scores are needed for the DS-160 or the visa interview itself, keep test prep and visa prep on separate tracks in the student's timeline.
Germany's visa office rejects Duolingo, Pearson PTE, and TOEFL Home Edition outright for Indian applicants. The US F-1 process has no equivalent visa-office test restriction, English proficiency is purely an admissions matter, decided by each university, and the accepted-test list (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, and others) is comparatively wide. Do not import Germany's test-acceptance caution into US advising; the constraint that matters for the US is the individual program's own policy, not a consular rule.
Applying to universities
Applications go directly to each university (or via the Common App/Coalition App where the school participates), there is no country-wide clearinghouse like uni-assist. Fall is the dominant intake; deadlines cluster from November (Early Decision/Action) through January (Regular Decision), with public and rolling-admission schools sometimes later.
Fix the intake and each program's exact deadline
Decide Fall (starts Aug/Sep, the main intake) or Spring (starts Jan, a smaller, secondary intake at many schools). Then record the exact deadline for each program: Early Decision/Early Action commonly falls 1 to 15 November, Regular Decision commonly 1 to 15 January, and some public universities or rolling-admission programs run later or on a rolling basis. Deadlines are set independently by each university, there is no single national date.
When: 10 to 12 months before intake for competitive Fall admissionPrepare the document set
Typical set: academic transcripts (with credential evaluation for many graduate programs), standardized test scores if required by the specific program, English test score, statement of purpose/personal essay, letters of recommendation, resume/CV, and financial documentation to support the I-20 request. Requirements vary meaningfully by program level and by school.
You get: A reusable, evaluated document pack the student can route to multiple applications.Apply via the Common App, Coalition App, or the university's own portal
Undergraduate applicants often use the Common App (accepted by 1,000+ colleges) or the Coalition Application; many universities, and virtually all graduate programs, require a direct application on their own portal instead. Confirm which channel each shortlisted school actually uses before starting.
Receive the offer and, for admitted students planning to attend, the Form I-20
MandatoryOnce admitted and the student confirms enrollment (and, for many schools, submits proof of financial ability), the SEVP-certified school issues Form I-20, the single most important document for the F-1 visa application. Only a designated school official (DSO) can issue this.
You get: Form I-20, endorsed and signed, required before paying the SEVIS fee or filing the DS-160.
Because there is no clearinghouse equivalent to uni-assist, missing one program's specific deadline has no 'grace' from a shared system. Build an individual deadline tracker per shortlisted school and confirm directly on each program's page, since Early Decision/Action, Regular Decision, and rolling-admission dates can differ by months within the same intake.
Student visa
Indian students apply for the F-1 non-immigrant student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, or Kolkata, based on jurisdiction). The process is: get the I-20 → pay the SEVIS I-901 fee → complete the DS-160 → pay the visa application (MRV) fee → attend an in-person interview. Since 2 September 2025, in-person interviews are required for virtually all F-1 applicants, the pandemic-era waiver ('Dropbox') option that let some renewing applicants skip the interview has been discontinued for students.
Visa type
MandatoryF-1 (academic student)
SEVIS I-901 fee
MandatoryUS$350 (2026)
Paid online at FMJfee.com after the school issues Form I-20 and before the visa interview. This is separate from, and in addition to, the visa application fee. The fee has stood at $350 since a 2019 DHS rule (raised from $200); always re-confirm the current amount before advising a student, since SEVP fees can be revised.
Visa application (MRV) fee
MandatoryUS$185 (2026)
Paid in INR at the prevailing exchange rate through the ustraveldocs.com/India payment process, before scheduling the interview. Non-refundable regardless of visa outcome.
Visa Integrity Fee, new, not yet collected
ConditionalUS$250 created by law (July 2025); NOT yet listed or charged as of this guide's review date
The July 2025 federal budget law (Public Law 119-21) creates a US$250 'Visa Integrity Fee' on nonimmigrant visa issuance, including F-1, on top of the MRV fee, refundable in principle if the holder complies with visa terms, but the collection mechanism has not been stood up. As of this guide's review date the official State Department fees page still lists only the fees below (no $250 line item), and multiple university international-student offices confirm there is still no way to pay it. This is a real, enacted fee, not a proposal, it could go live within FY2026 with little notice. Check travel.state.gov before quoting a student a final visa-fee total.
Interview requirement
MandatoryIn-person interview required for essentially all F-1 applicants
Two 2025 tightenings: from 2 September 2025 the broad interview-waiver ('Dropbox') option ended for F-1/F-2 students, and from 1 October 2025 the remaining age-based exemptions (under 14 / over 79) were removed and waiver categories narrowed further. A consular officer may still require an interview case-by-case for any applicant.
Where interviews happen (India)
U.S. Embassy New Delhi or U.S. Consulates General in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata
Jurisdiction is assigned by the applicant's home state/region, not by choice. Book biometrics and interview appointments as early as the visa timeline allows, wait times fluctuate seasonally and are published by post.
Receive Form I-20 and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee
MandatoryOnce the SEVP-certified school issues the I-20, pay the I-901 SEVIS fee (US$350, 2026) online at FMJfee.com and keep the payment receipt, it is required at the visa interview. Do this before starting the DS-160, since the DS-160 asks for SEVIS details.
Cost: US$350 (2026)Complete the DS-160 online application
MandatoryFile the DS-160 at the official Consular Electronic Application Center (ceac.state.gov/genniv). This form now requires listing social-media usernames/handles for every platform used in the last five years, omitting an account, even an inactive one, can be treated as misrepresentation. Print the DS-160 confirmation page for the interview.
Answer the social-media disclosure completely and truthfully. Since 2019 this has been mandatory for all US nonimmigrant visa applicants, and consular guidance treats incomplete disclosure as a serious red flag, not a technicality.Pay the visa application (MRV) fee and schedule biometrics + interview
MandatoryPay the US$185 (2026) MRV fee in INR via the accepted local payment channels (through ustraveldocs.com/India), then schedule two appointments: a biometrics (fingerprinting) visit at a Visa Application Center and the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate with jurisdiction over the student's home region. Book as early as the visa calendar allows, appointment demand peaks April, August ahead of the Fall intake.
When: Can apply up to 365 days before the program start date; cannot enter the US more than 30 days before the I-20 start dateCost: US$185 (2026)Attend the in-person interview
MandatoryBring: passport (valid 6+ months beyond intended stay), DS-160 confirmation page, MRV fee receipt, SEVIS fee receipt, Form I-20 (signed by the student and the school official), academic records/test scores if requested, and financial evidence. The consular officer decides on the spot in most cases; some applications require 'administrative processing' (221(g)) which can add weeks.
You get: F-1 visa stamped in the passport, or a request for further administrative processing.
Before September 2025, some returning/renewing nonimmigrant applicants (and applicants under 14 or over 79) could skip the in-person interview. Two tightenings closed this: from 2 September 2025 F and J students (and dependents) lost the broad waiver, and from 1 October 2025 the age-based exemptions were removed and remaining categories narrowed. Nearly all F-1 applicants now appear in person. Do not advise a returning F-1 student that they can skip the interview this cycle based on last year's experience.
Every F-1 applicant must list social-media identifiers used in the last five years directly on the DS-160 (mandatory since 2019). SEPARATELY, since June 2025 the State Department requires F/M/J applicants to set the privacy on all listed social-media accounts to PUBLIC so consular officers can review the applicant's online presence during vetting, a distinct, newer action beyond just disclosing handles. Coach students to both disclose every handle AND make those accounts public before the interview, and to keep public content consistent with a genuine, bona fide student profile.
The I-901 SEVIS fee (US$350, paid to DHS/ICE at FMJfee.com) and the DS-160 visa application/MRV fee (US$185, paid to the State Department via the India visa-services channel) are different fees to different agencies. Both must be paid and receipted before the interview.
A July 2025 federal law created a US$250 'Visa Integrity Fee' on nonimmigrant visa issuance (including F-1), separate from and on top of the SEVIS and MRV fees. As of this guide's review date it is enacted but not yet implemented, the official visa-fees page does not list it and there is still no payment mechanism at posts, so do not quote it to a student as a current charge. But because it is already law, not a proposal, re-check travel.state.gov each cycle in case collection starts.
Sources
- Student Visa, F-1 and M-1, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov)
- Fees for Visa Services, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov)
- Student Visa, Five Steps (India), EducationUSA India (U.S. Department of State advising network)
- Visas, U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India, U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India (in.usembassy.gov)
Money & proof of funds
The US has no fixed blocked-account figure like Germany's Sperrkonto. Instead, DHS regulations require the school to be satisfied, before it issues Form I-20, that the student can cover at least one year of the program's full cost of attendance (tuition + living costs) from acceptable, verifiable sources. Tuition itself is rarely subsidised, so realistic budgeting matters as much as satisfying the paperwork.
Proof-of-funds standard
MandatoryBank/sponsor evidence for 1 year of the I-20 cost of attendance (or the full program length if shorter)
Acceptable evidence includes the student's or a sponsor's bank statements, a bank letter, an education-loan sanction letter, a scholarship/assistantship award letter, or an employer salary letter for a sponsor, evidence must be recent, on letterhead, and show the account holder's name. There is no single fixed rupee/dollar figure; the amount is set by each school's published cost of attendance for that specific program and year.
Affidavit-only support
MandatoryNot sufficient on its own
A plain family affidavit of support with no bank evidence behind it does not satisfy the I-20 financial-ability requirement; the underlying funds must be documented.
Tuition
Roughly US$20,000 to 60,000+/year depending on institution and program (2026)
No national tuition-free tier. Public/state universities charge international students a non-resident rate typically well above the in-state rate; private universities and highly ranked programs run at the top of the range or higher. Confirm the exact published cost of attendance on the specific program's page.
Living costs
Included in the school's published cost of attendance
Varies hugely by city, a New York or San Francisco Bay Area budget is far higher than a smaller college town. The school's financial-aid/international-office page publishes the specific estimate used for I-20 purposes.
University-mandated student health insurance
ConditionalMandatory-by-university, auto-billed; commonly US$1,500 to 3,500+/year (2026)
The US has no single national student-insurance scheme (unlike Germany's statutory system). Most universities auto-enroll every eligible student (full-time undergrads, and grad students above a credit-hour threshold, including F-1/international students) into a Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and bill it automatically alongside tuition, e.g. University of Maryland's SHIP runs US$2,939/year for 2026 to 27 (up from US$2,806 in 2025 to 26). A waiver is possible only if the student holds a comparable, university-approved plan (typically a US-based, ACA-compliant plan) and files it by a hard per-semester deadline; most international/travel plans bought in India do NOT qualify for a waiver. Confirm the specific school's SHIP cost, eligibility threshold, and waiver deadline on its own health-insurance office page.
Budget for university-mandated health insurance as a real line item
ConditionalTreat the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) as a near-certain add-on cost, not an optional extra, most schools auto-enroll eligible students and bill the premium with tuition unless a waiver is filed on time. If the student wants to waive into an outside plan, check the school's specific waiver criteria (US-based, ACA-compliant coverage is usually required) well before the semester's waiver deadline; a plan bought in India before departure typically will not qualify.
Cost: Commonly US$1,500 to 3,500+/year, school-dependent (e.g. US$2,939/year at University of Maryland, 2026 to 27)Missing the waiver deadline (often within the first few weeks of term) locks the student into the university plan and its bill for that semester even if they already have qualifying coverage.Gather bank/sponsor evidence before requesting the I-20
MandatoryCollect recent (typically within the last 3 months) bank statements or a bank letter, and/or an education-loan sanction letter, and/or a scholarship or assistantship award letter, sized to cover at least one year of the specific program's published cost of attendance. If a sponsor (parent/relative) is funding the student, include a letter naming the relationship and the amount committed, alongside the sponsor's own bank evidence.
Cost: Varies by program, typically US$25,000 to 80,000 to satisfy one year's cost of attendance, program-dependentRoute strong candidates toward assistantships and scholarships
RecommendedFor Masters and especially PhD applicants, graduate/teaching/research assistantships (common in STEM PhDs) can cover tuition plus a stipend, materially reducing, sometimes eliminating, the family's funding burden. These award letters double as acceptable I-20 financial evidence. Undergraduate merit aid exists but is far less commonly extended to international students than to domestic ones; confirm each school's international-aid policy rather than assuming parity.
Budget realistically beyond the I-20 minimum
RecommendedThe I-20's stated cost of attendance is a planning estimate, not a hard ceiling, actual living costs (especially housing) in major metro areas frequently exceed it. Counsel students to budget above the published figure in high-cost cities and to secure on-campus or verified off-campus housing before arrival.
Housing costs in large US metros can be substantially higher than a university's published estimate, do not treat the I-20 figure as the real-world budget ceiling.
Germany requires a fixed blocked-account sum but offers largely tuition-free public education. The US requires no fixed blocked sum, evidence just has to satisfy the school that one year's real cost is covered, but tuition itself is rarely subsidised, so the total cash commitment over a US degree is usually much higher than in Germany. Counsel students on total program cost, not just the one-year I-20 threshold.
A student who has just landed has no US credit history, which US landlords, phone carriers, and card issuers use to judge risk. In practice this means: landlords often ask for a US-based co-signer/guarantor (an international-student office 'housing letter' plus bank/visa evidence can substitute), or a larger security deposit; phone carriers may require a deposit or a prepaid/no-credit-check plan; and credit-card approval is easier via a secured card or a student card than an unsecured one. Budget for an extra deposit and start with a co-signer, university housing letter, or secured card rather than assuming standard terms apply from day one.
- International Students and Scholars, Community Rentals (no-credit-history renting), University of California, Santa Cruz, Community Rentals
- What is a tenant screening report?, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
- Social Security Numbers, F-1 Student Overview, University of Colorado Boulder, International Student & Scholar Services
Before you fly
With the F-1 visa stamped, the goal is to land ready: housing confirmed, the I-20 program start date understood (you cannot enter more than 30 days early), and documents organized for the port-of-entry check and the first days on campus.
Confirm enrollment and orientation requirements
MandatoryRespond to the university's international-student office (often called the ISSO/OIS) about mandatory check-in and orientation, most SEVP-certified schools require international students to physically check in by a specific date, sometimes before classes begin, to 'activate' their SEVIS record. Missing this can jeopardize F-1 status even with a valid visa.
When: After visa approval, before departureArrange housing before arrival
RecommendedOn-campus housing (dorms) is straightforward to book through the university; off-campus housing in expensive metro areas can be competitive and should be arranged, or at least a short-term arrival option secured, before flying.
Ask the university's international office about temporary/arrival housing options if permanent housing isn't finalized before departure.Book flights within the entry window
MandatoryYou may enter the US up to 30 days before the I-20 program start date, and the F-1 visa itself can be issued up to 365 days ahead of that start date, but the 30-day entry window is a hard limit enforced at the port of entry. Carry the I-20, visa, admission letter, financial evidence, and SEVIS fee receipt in hand luggage, not checked bags.
When: Arrive no more than 30 days before the I-20 start datePrepare a document folder + digital backups
RecommendedPhysical folder: passport + visa, Form I-20 (original, signed), SEVIS fee receipt, admission letter, financial evidence, academic transcripts/certificates, and passport photos. Keep scanned copies in cloud storage, the port-of-entry officer will review the I-20 and visa directly.
You get: A grab-and-go folder that covers port-of-entry inspection and campus check-in.
After you land
The US does not require a Germany-style municipal address registration (Anmeldung). Instead, the critical first steps are: clear the port-of-entry (CBP) check, complete the university's mandatory international-student check-in (which activates the SEVIS record for the term), get a Social Security Number if working on campus, open a bank account, and enroll in the required health insurance.
Clear Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the port of entry
MandatoryPresent the passport, F-1 visa, and Form I-20 to the CBP officer. Admission is typically noted as 'D/S' (Duration of Status) tied to the program on the I-20, rather than a fixed date, meaning lawful status runs for as long as the student is enrolled and in status, plus authorized post-completion periods (OPT etc.). Keep the I-94 arrival record (available online via CBP), it is the official proof of admission.
You get: An I-94 record showing F-1 admission, generally D/S.Complete mandatory international-student check-in
MandatoryReport to the university's international student office by the date it specifies (often just before orientation) to confirm arrival, this activates the student's SEVIS record for the term. Skipping this can put the SEVIS record, and therefore F-1 status, at risk even though there is no separate municipal registration step.
When: As instructed by the school, typically within the first days of the termApply for a Social Security Number (SSN), if working on campus
ConditionalStudents taking an on-campus job need an SSN; the international office typically provides an employment-verification letter to support the Social Security Administration application. An SSN is not required simply to study, only to be paid for authorized work.
Open a US bank account
RecommendedBring the passport, I-20, and proof of local address (a housing/lease letter or the university's confirmation) to open a checking account. Many banks offer student accounts with reduced or waived fees.
Enroll in the university's health insurance (or approved waiver)
ConditionalMost US universities require enrollment in their student health plan unless the student has comparable coverage that qualifies for a waiver, confirm the specific school's policy and deadline, since missing the enrollment/waiver window can result in automatic enrollment and billing.
Check whether the campus bundles a student transit pass
OptionalThere is no US national student transit pass (no Deutschland-Semesterticket equivalent). Instead it varies by campus and city: many universities bundle a U-Pass into mandatory student fees for unlimited local transit, e.g. American University's U-Pass gives unlimited WMATA Metrorail/Metrobus rides for US$136/academic year (US$68/semester) built into the student fee, versus paying full fare trip-by-trip. Big-city systems (Boston's MBTA, Chicago's CTA/Ventra, Washington DC's WMATA) commonly offer a campus-linked or semester pass; New York City's MTA, by contrast, has no general college-student discount (its reduced-fare Student MetroCard is K-12 only), CUNY/NYC students should ask their college's own transit-benefit or Fair Fares options instead of assuming a citywide student rate exists. Ask the international-student office whether a U-Pass or equivalent is already included in fees before buying a regular monthly pass.
You get: Either a fee-bundled unlimited pass activated via student ID, or confirmation that none exists and full/discounted fare applies.Get a local SIM and settle other essentials
RecommendedA local phone plan and campus ID round out the first-week checklist. Many carriers ask for a Social Security Number or a US credit check to skip a deposit; students without either can typically still sign up on a prepaid plan or by paying a refundable deposit, an SSN is only issuable to F-1 students who have authorized on-campus or other work, not simply for being enrolled. Unlike Germany there is no household broadcasting fee equivalent.
The US does not require registering a home address with a city authority. The nearest equivalent 'first, or everything stalls' step is the university's mandatory international-student check-in, which activates the SEVIS record for the term, treat it with the same priority Germany's guide gives to Anmeldung.
Working & staying on
On-campus work is allowed with limits; off-campus work requires specific authorization. The big post-study draw is Optional Practical Training (OPT), 12 months of work authorization tied to the degree, extended by 24 more months for STEM graduates at an E-Verify employer, with a further cap-gap bridge into the H-1B lottery. A federal proposal to end 'Duration of Status' and cap admission at a fixed period is moving through rulemaking and could change how long these stays can run without a separate extension filing, verify its status before advising.
Work while studying
MandatoryOn-campus ≤20 hrs/week in session; full-time during official breaks
Off-campus work during the program generally requires Curricular Practical Training (CPT, tied to the curriculum) or specific hardship authorization, there is no general off-campus work allowance like Germany's day-cap.
Post-completion OPT
Conditional12 months of work authorization tied to the degree
Requires a separate USCIS application (Form I-765) filed around graduation; work must be in the student's field of study. Unemployment during OPT is capped at 90 aggregate days.
STEM OPT extension
Conditional+24 months (36 months total OPT) for STEM-designated degrees
Requires the employer be enrolled in E-Verify and the degree appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List (CIP-code based). Combined unemployment across initial OPT + STEM extension is capped at 150 aggregate days.
- Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- STEM OPT Hub, DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, Study in the States (ICE / SEVP)
- USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part F, Ch. 5, Practical Training, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Cap-gap bridge to H-1B
ConditionalF-1 status + OPT/STEM OPT auto-extends to 1 April of the relevant fiscal year
Under a DHS rule effective 17 January 2025 (applied starting the FY2026 H-1B cycle), an F-1 student who is the beneficiary of a timely-filed, cap-subject H-1B change-of-status petition gets an automatic extension of status and work authorization until 1 April of that fiscal year (previously it ended 1 October), reducing gaps while the H-1B petition is adjudicated.
H-1B $100,000 petition fee
ConditionalApplies only to H-1B petitions for beneficiaries currently outside the US without a valid H-1B visa, currently still being collected pending appeal
A September 2025 presidential proclamation requires a $100,000 payment for new H-1B petitions filed for such beneficiaries on or after 21 September 2025. USCIS has clarified F-1 students changing status to H-1B from inside the US are not subject to this fee. A federal district court (Massachusetts) ruled the fee unlawful on 8 June 2026, but on 12 June 2026 the same court granted the government a stay pending appeal, so the fee remains in effect while the First Circuit Court of Appeals reviews the case. Treat this as live litigation with the fee currently still being charged, re-confirm current status before advising.
Work on campus within the hours limit; use CPT for required off-campus work
MandatoryOn-campus jobs are capped at 20 hours/week while classes are in session (full-time allowed during official breaks). Off-campus work tied to the curriculum (internships, co-ops) needs CPT authorization from the school before starting, working off-campus without authorization risks the SEVIS record and future immigration benefits.
Apply for post-completion OPT around graduation
ConditionalFile Form I-765 with USCIS in the window around program completion (the school's international office manages the SEVIS recommendation) to get 12 months of OPT work authorization in the student's field. Track the 90-day cumulative unemployment limit carefully, exceeding it terminates status.
When: Application window opens up to 90 days before, and closes 60 days after, the program end dateApply for the STEM OPT extension if eligible
ConditionalIf the degree is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and the employer is enrolled in E-Verify, file for the 24-month STEM extension before the initial OPT expires. This raises total OPT to 36 months and the cumulative unemployment allowance to 150 days (inclusive of the initial OPT period).
Use the cap-gap extension while an H-1B petition is pending
ConditionalIf a timely, cap-subject H-1B change-of-status petition is filed on the student's behalf during OPT/STEM OPT, F-1 status and work authorization automatically extend to 1 April of the relevant fiscal year (or until the H-1B validity start date, if earlier), bridging the gap while USCIS adjudicates. If the H-1B petition is denied, withdrawn, or revoked, the cap-gap extension ends and a standard grace period applies.
As of mid-2026, DHS has a final rule (proposed August 2025, comment periods closed Sept/Oct 2025, OMB review completed 17 June 2026) that would end the current open-ended 'Duration of Status' (D/S) admission for F-1 students and instead admit them for a FIXED period, generally tied to the I-20 program end date or OPT/STEM OPT EAD end date, capped at 4 years for most programs (shorter for English-language/ESL programs), with the post-completion grace period cut from 60 to 30 days. Under this proposal a student whose program plus OPT exceeds the admitted period would need to file a separate Form I-539 extension-of-stay with USCIS. This is NOT yet in force, it takes effect 60 days after Federal Register publication, which had not occurred as of this guide's review date. Do not advise students as if this rule is active; check travel.state.gov/USCIS for the current status before quoting it as settled law.
OPT and STEM OPT buy time to work in status, but the long-term US work visa (H-1B) is capped at 85,000 new visas per year (65,000 regular + 20,000 for US master's-degree-or-higher holders) and allocated by lottery when demand exceeds supply. A STEM master's from a US university improves odds via the separate master's-cap pool but does not guarantee selection.
Sources
- Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part F, Ch. 5, Practical Training, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- Extension of Post-Completion OPT and F-1 Status under H-1B Cap-Gap, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- DHS Proposal to Replace Duration of Status with a Fixed Period of Admission, NAFSA: Association of International Educators (regulatory tracking of the DHS proposed rule)
Common mistakes applying to USA
The USA route fails in predictable places. These are the ones that cost applicants an intake.
- Assuming a returning or renewing F-1 applicant can skip the in-person interview. Since 2 September 2025 the 'Dropbox' waiver route is gone for students and the old under-14/over-79 exemptions were removed, virtually everyone interviews in person now.
- Under-disclosing social media on the DS-160, or leaving accounts private. Every platform used in the last five years must be listed, and since June 2025 the listed accounts must be set to PUBLIC for consular vetting, omitting an account or keeping it private can sink the interview.
- Carrying forward last year's test-optional assumption. Several highly selective US universities reinstated mandatory SAT/ACT for Fall 2026 while others remain test-blind or test-optional, there is no national policy; verify per school, per cycle.
- Treating a plain family affidavit as sufficient proof of funds. DHS/SEVP financial-ability rules require documented bank/sponsor/loan/scholarship evidence covering at least one year's cost of attendance, an affidavit alone does not satisfy the school's I-20 requirement.
- Confusing the SEVIS I-901 fee (US$350, paid to DHS/ICE via FMJfee.com) with the visa application/MRV fee (US$185, paid via the India visa-services channel). Both are required and separate.
- Assuming off-campus work is broadly allowed like Germany's day-cap system. It isn't, off-campus work needs specific authorization (CPT, OPT, or hardship programs); unauthorized work risks the student's status.
- Missing the STEM OPT eligibility gate: the employer must be E-Verify-enrolled AND the degree must sit on the current DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, a STEM-sounding degree title is not proof it's on the list; check the CIP code.
- Quoting the fixed-duration-of-stay ('end Duration of Status') proposal as if it is already in force. As of this guide's review date it had cleared OMB review but was not yet published in the Federal Register, confirm current status before advising, since it changes grace periods and could require a separate extension-of-stay filing.
- Assuming the new $100,000 H-1B petition fee applies to F-1 students changing status from OPT/STEM OPT inside the US. USCIS guidance excludes change-of-status petitions for beneficiaries already in the US from this fee. Separately, do not assume the fee itself has been struck down, a federal court ruled it unlawful in June 2026 but immediately stayed that ruling pending appeal, so it is still being collected; re-verify current status before advising.
- Quoting only the US$185 MRV fee and missing the separate US$250 'Visa Integrity Fee' created by the July 2025 budget law (OBBBA) for nonimmigrant visas including F-1. As of this guide's review date the fee had not yet been implemented (no collection mechanism live at posts), but it is law, not a proposal, and could start being charged within FY2026; check travel.state.gov before telling a student the visa cost is fixed at $185.
- Booking travel or arrival dates without checking the I-20 start date. Entry is barred more than 30 days before the program start date on the I-20, regardless of when the visa was issued.
- Ignoring the university's own mandatory international-student check-in after arrival. There's no Anmeldung, but missing this SEVIS-activation step is the closest US equivalent trap.
- Budgeting only for tuition and missing the university-mandated Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Most schools auto-enroll and auto-bill a SHIP (commonly US$1,500 to 3,500+/year) on top of tuition; a plan bought in India before departure usually will not qualify for the waiver, and missing the waiver deadline locks in the bill regardless.
- Assuming a US-wide student transit discount exists. There is no national pass, some campuses bundle a U-Pass into student fees (a real saving over full fare), others don't, and even within one city (e.g. NYC's MTA) college students may get no student discount at all. Check the specific campus/city rather than assuming.
- Assuming a newly arrived student can rent, get a phone plan, or get a credit card on standard terms. Zero US credit history is normal for a first-timer and often triggers a landlord's request for a co-signer/guarantor or bigger deposit, and a carrier's request for a deposit, plan for this rather than treating it as a red flag unique to the student.
Shortlist by program (check current test policy) → prepare tests/credential evaluation → apply via Common App/direct portal by each program's deadline → gather proof-of-funds evidence → receive I-20 → pay SEVIS fee → file DS-160 (disclose social media fully) → pay MRV fee → attend in-person interview → travel within the 30-day entry window → mandatory international-student check-in → enroll → (at graduation) apply for OPT → (if STEM-eligible) apply for the STEM OPT extension → (if sponsored) ride the cap-gap bridge into the H-1B lottery.
Official sources
Every figure above traces to one of these. Rules and fees change, so confirm anything you are about to act on at the source.
- Student Visa, F-1 and M-1, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov)
- Fees for Visa Services, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov)
- Interview Waiver Update, September 18, 2025, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov)
- Visa Appointment Wait Times (by post), U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov)
- Visas, U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India, U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India (in.usembassy.gov)
- Student Visa, Five Steps (India), EducationUSA India (U.S. Department of State advising network)
- Apply For Your U.S. Student Visa, EducationUSA (U.S. Department of State)
- Paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee, Study in the States (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement / SEVP)
- I-901 SEVIS Fee, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE / SEVP)
- Financial Ability, proof required to issue Form I-20, Study in the States (ICE / SEVP)
- Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part F, Ch. 5, Practical Training, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- Extension of Post-Completion OPT and F-1 Status under H-1B Cap-Gap, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- H-1B FAQ (incl. the $100,000 petition payment), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- Presidential Proclamation on Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- STEM OPT Hub, DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, Study in the States (ICE / SEVP)
- DHS Proposal to Replace Duration of Status with a Fixed Period of Admission, NAFSA: Association of International Educators (regulatory tracking of the DHS proposed rule)
- Consular Electronic Application Center, DS-160, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
- FMJfee.com, official I-901 SEVIS Fee payment portal, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- ustraveldocs.com, India visa appointment services, U.S. Department of State (visa appointment services contractor for India)
- Common App, Application Deadlines, The Common Application, Inc.
- Mandatory Insurance and Waiver (Student Health Insurance Plan), University of Maryland, University Health Center
- U-Pass Program (Metrorail/Metrobus student transit pass), American University, Office of Finance, Transportation
- Social Security Numbers, F-1 Student Overview, University of Colorado Boulder, International Student & Scholar Services
- International Students and Scholars, Community Rentals (no-credit-history renting), University of California, Santa Cruz, Community Rentals
- What is a tenant screening report?, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Check where you actually qualify
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Other destinations
Bramica is independent and takes no commission from any university, recruiter or agency. This guide is information, not immigration advice. Rules, fees and thresholds change; confirm the current requirement on the official source before acting on it.